I’ll let you in on a little secret: you can use frozen puff pastry to make the easiest, quickest appetizers ever that everybody will rave about. Fill it with a creamy, savory feta & spinach filling that takes less than 10 minutes to throw together and you’ll end up with one of our go-to finger foods. The buttery, flaky layers of puff pastry balance out the creamy, cheesy filling in the most delightful way. Not only are they delicious, but they’re also easy to make using store-bought puff pastry and a few simple ingredients like fresh spinach and feta cheese! Fun fact: In Disney’s Emperor’s New Groove, Kronk, the comedic sidekick to the villain Yzma, makes spinach puffs and almost burns them, leading him to hilariously exclaim “my spinach puffs!”. For even more puff pastry magic, take a peek at my favorite recipes for snacks and appetizers like Baked Brie in Puff Pastry, Jalapeño Popper Pigs in a Blanket, Puff Pastry Apple Roses, Asparagus Tart, and Easy Peach Turnovers!
Why We Love This Recipe
The combination of fresh spinach, feta cheese, and puff pastry creates a savory, crispy treat with a perfectly soft center! It’s a simple recipe that can be made in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for last-minute gatherings or a quick weekday snack. The spinach puffs can be prepped ahead, frozen, and then baked fresh when needed, ensuring they’re ready whenever you are!
What You’ll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Puff Pastry Sheet – These are the base for your spinach puffs, giving that golden, flaky crust. You can use store-bought for convenience or make your own if you’re feeling ambitious. Fresh Spinach – The star of the show! Fresh spinach adds a lovely, bright flavor, but you can also use frozen spinach—just be sure to thaw first and squeeze out all the excess liquid. Feta Cheese – Crumbled feta gives the filling a salty, tangy kick. You can swap in goat cheese or ricotta for a milder flavor. Cream Cheese – This makes the filling rich and creamy, binding everything together. You can use vegan cream cheese if you need a dairy-free option. Garlic Powder & Onion Powder – Essential for adding that irresistible depth of flavor. You can also sauté fresh garlic and onions for an even richer taste. Eggs – The eggs go into the filling for a bit of extra structure, and another egg is used as an egg wash to give the pastry that beautiful golden finish. Dried Dill – This adds a fresh, herbaceous note. Feel free to use fresh dill if you have it on hand. Cooked Bacon (Optional) – Crumbled bacon takes these puffs to the next level, but you can leave it out for a vegetarian version.
How to Make Spinach Puff Recipe
Tips for Success
Chill the assembled puffs before baking to keep the pastry flaky and prevent the filling from spilling out. Don’t skip the egg wash! It’s the secret to getting that gorgeous, golden brown crust that makes these puffs look bakery-worthy. If using frozen spinach, make sure you squeeze out every drop of moisture—otherwise, the filling will be too watery. For an extra touch, sprinkle a little parmesan on top of the puffs before baking for a cheesy, crispy finish.
Substitutions and Variations
You can swap feta cheese for goat cheese or even ricotta if you prefer a milder, creamier filling. If you can’t find puff pastry, you could use filo dough as a great alternative. It’s a bit more delicate, but it will still give you those crispy layers. You could also use crescent roll dough instead for a softer, less flaky bite. For a different twist you can add crumbled sausage or even diced ham alongside or in place of the bacon. Or, for a vegetarian option, leave out the bacon!
More Easy Appetizer Recipes You’ll Love
Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends Crispy Homemade Onion Rings Easy Fruit Dip (only 3 ingredients!) Tomato Bruschetta Recipe The BEST Homemade Guacamole 7 Layer Dip Mozzarella Sticks Recipe
Recipe adapted from Delish. They pair beautifully with a fresh salad for a light lunch, especially one of my delicious spinach salads like Spinach, Bacon & Egg Salad with Creamy Honey Mustard Dressing, Persimmon, Pomegranate, and Spinach Salad, and Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing! For a more substantial meal, you can also serve them as a side dish with roasted chicken or grilled meats, such as Lemon Chicken Piccata, Grilled Ribeye Steak, and Cornell Chicken!
